We are often asked the difference between PVC and rubber flooring and rubber matting and in our opinion, rubber mats and floors are the top quality to buy. We have put together this guide on the major differences and the benefits of rubber flooring over PVC. Rubber flooring and matting is becoming popular and the unequivocal choice for both commercial, domestic and residential use because of its far superior properties.
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Appearance and material descriptions Rubber flooring and rubber matting will appear quite similar to the eye to PVC flooring and matting. However, don’t be fooled by descriptions as many companies will claim and list their products as rubber in the description but if you look at the product description in more detail, the product material is in fact plastic. An example of this is here. Cost An important point is that rubber flooring will be a more expensive outlay than PVC. However you need to factor in the cost over its lifetime to get the true cost and value of rubber flooring and matting compared to PVC. Without doubt, you will get what you pay for in terms of quality and a far superior endurance and resilience with rubber flooring. Rubber matting and flooring, although costing more initially, will actually cost you less over its lifetime. Rubber floors and mats will last for decades – up to 30 years – making it extremely cost effective. PVC flooring and matting, although cheaper, is not as hard wearing and will cost more than rubber in terms of durability and replacement over its lifetime. Also factor in the maintenance costs for PVC flooring which cost more and will surpass the original installation costs making it more expensive than rubber. But don’t just take our word for it. A research study was conducted by Suzanna Barnes into the life-cycle costs of rubber flooring against other common flooring materials including vinyl, lino, carpet and wood from several manufacturers. The study revealed that the cheapest flooring, vinyl, was in fact the most expensive and costly choice over its life cycle. term. The rubber flooring which was the more expensive option turned out to be the cheapest decision in the long term. Even at five years the return in investment for some of the more expensive floors had disqualified the cheaper floors. You can read the study here. Durability and resilience of rubber flooring and matting Rubber flooring is chosen by all types of industries and commercial sectors because it is tough and strong and seen as a good investment. Rubber matting and flooring is extremely durable and will last a long time because of its high resilience. The elasticity of the rubber gives anti-fatigue properties that are found naturally in rubber and are further enhanced by a polyurethane binding agent. Rubber resists most impacts and circumstances. It is anti-tear, resistant to oil, chemicals and cigarettes. It does not rot or decay. It can withstand heavy impacts, scrapes and bumps. It doesn’t shrink expand or crack. Its highly resilient properties mean that rubber flooring and matting retains its appearance for a long time. Rubber is also safer to use because it remains anti-slip and isn’t subject to wear and tear which would cause the flooring to be unsafe. PVC flooring and matting in comparison has little or no resilience and therefore does not have the same durability as rubber flooring. Versatility The beauty of rubber flooring and matting is that it is extremely versatile and is used for a huge range of applications in a variety of industries and sectors. We provide rubber flooring (link to page) for all types of industries and sectors. Our customers are in the catering, manufacturing, equine and agricultural, marine, sports and leisure sectors to name a few. Rubber flooring and matting is ideal for all types of premises and buildings including public entrances, sports tracks, golf and leisure clubs, gyms, dairy farms, schools, arenas and auditoria. Rubber flooring can also be used combined with under-floor heating systems where compatible and, subject to surface temperatures, can create a heated solution where required. Noise, comfort and insulation Another benefit and quality of rubber flooring over PVC flooring is that rubber absorbs sounds and noise. Sound in buildings and on walkways is deadened by using rubber flooring and it is ideal for sports, leisure and gym facilities and in environments with heavy foot traffic such as libraries, offices, retail premises and schools. Rubber is also used for noise and sound insulation in new buildings as part of the Building Regulations. In comparison, PVC flooring gives no effective sound barrier nor deadens noise and sound. Rubber flooring gives even more noise absorption and building insulation when it’s combined with acoustic and thermal insulation (link to page) creating a thicker sound barrier layer. Rubber floors are also much more comfortable to walk and stand on than PVC which is much harder underfoot. Rubber’s safety Another priority for our customers is when it comes to safety. Rubber flooring and matting holds a number of significant and important safety properties that PVC flooring does not. Rubber matting and flooring is waterproof, and even when it’s wet it is naturally slip-resistant. Because rubber is also flame resistant and has low smoke emission in the event of a fire, rubber is used in high risk areas in buildings such as fire escapes. Rubber is non-toxic and will not release noxious fumes into the air. Rubber has other additional safety properties. Rubber is anti-bacterial and extremely hygienic compared to PVC flooring and is used extensively and solely in medical facilities, hospitals, children’s playgrounds, play areas and schools because of its anti-bacterial properties. If you’re thinking of cutting corners when it comes to playgrounds, play areas and places where hygiene is the utmost priority, think again. PVC flooring will not give the hygienic benefits that rubber does. Poor and deteriorated air quality is also a major concern for customers. PVC can emit substances from the plastic flooring material itself and also from the adhesives used to install the floor, surface coatings and maintenance materials like wax and strippers used on alternative flooring. Rubber flooring and matting is also anti-static so it’s recommended for computer and electrical safety use and in areas containing machinery. Many premises with a high quantity of servers, computers and machinery use rubber flooring as standard as PVC flooring is so unsuitable. Comfort, noise absorption and insulation If you want to learn more, please visit our website ShunDe. Rubber flooring has other additional benefits and qualities over PVC. Rubber is more comfortable to walk and stand on than PVC which is much harder underfoot. Rubber also absorbs sounds and noise. Sound in buildings and on walkways is deadened by using rubber flooring and it is ideal for leisure centres and gyms, sports halls and in environments subject to heavy foot traffic such as libraries, offices, retail premises and schools. It is also a powerful sound barrier between floors. In the UK, Part E of the Building Regulations applies to both new build and refurbishment work and sets out standards that include the sound insulation of internal walls and floors and the control of reverberation within communal areas. Rubber flooring and underlay is used because it is ideal to minimise noise impact to meet stringent building regulations. PVC flooring in comparison does not dampen noise and is not an effective sound barrier. Rubber flooring gives further noise reduction and building insulation by combining it with specialised thermal and acoustic insulation creating a thicker sound barrier layer. Huge range of choice Rubber flooring offers a huge range of choice for customers. It is available in a choice of functional finishes and textures. Different textures can also help to add traction to the floor, making it more slip resistant in wet areas and easier to maintain and clean. We can also tailor rubber flooring and matting with company logos for branding purposes. Environmentally friendly Being eco-friendly and recycling responsibility is equally important and with this in mind rubber flooring is far more environmentally friendly than PVC flooring when it comes to its environmental impact. Rubber is not toxic or hazardous. PVC can contain toxic bi-products and contains toxic additives that can contribute to illnesses and allergies as well as causing a health hazard. PVC is also a high pollutant because it contains heavy metal content and chemical additives and it can also leak chlorine and carcinogens. Softeners known as phthalates can leak out of PVC floors when they are washed or can be emitted into the air and attach to dust causing airborne distribution. Rubber is easily recycled by shredding or shredding and then processed. Rubber flooring and matting can also be made of up to 80% recycled rubber and contains no harmful substances to the environment. So there you have it. We hope this guide has helped you to understand the important and beneficial differences between rubber flooring and rubber matting and PVC flooring and matting. We only provide the highest quality rubber floor and mat products that will last for decades as well as give you the high quality functionality and resilience that you expect.
We manufacture and supply matting for any application, from health and safety to leisure. Each application requires different designs and materials for the mats, in order to ensure that you get the most out of your product. Currently the most versatile and popular materials to manufacture mats are rubber and PVC. In this post we are going explore the strengths and weaknesses of each material to help you determine which product is best for you.
It is important to note that there are many different compounds of rubber available each offering slightly different properties depending on the application. In order to keep this comparison fair we will look mainly at natural rubber (NR) as it is the most popular rubber compound for use in matting applications.
Natural rubber is highly durable and offers resistance to both impact and wear which ensures that the matting lasts. It is also resistant to a variety of chemicals which make it easy to clean without deteriorating the material. In most cases our rubber mats are simply laid loose but you are able to use adhesive for a permanent solution. Depending on the thickness of the rubber, the matting has been shown to absorb and reduce noise which make it highly desirable in multistory or built up areas. Rubber matting also contains good insulation properties which enable it to retain both hot and cold temperatures depending on the time of year.
One of the key features of rubber matting is the materials excellent gripping capabilities even in wet and damp environments. This ensures that rubber mats reduce the risk of slips which make them perfect for use as health and safety mats.
Rubber matting can be more expensive than a PVC alternative depending on the thickness and hardness of the material. Certain chemicals and detergents can stain or discolour the material, which may be a problem if used in an area which will be seen by potential customers or clients.
PVC, also known as Polyvinyl chloride is the third most widely produced plastic around the world. It is a material which almost everyone will likely come in contact with on a daily basis. PVC is available in two formats, either rigid or flexible depending on the application. Flexible is typically favorable over rigid for matting uses as it enables the mat to follow the contours of the ground and provide a stable walking surface.
Much like rubber PVC matting is highly durable, which ensures that you are able to get a lot of use out of a single mat. PVC is also lightweight which makes transporting and installing the mats very easy. PVC offers good weathering resistance which enable you to use it in almost any exterior application without fear of deterioration. The high chlorine content found in PVC matting grants it self extinguishing properties, which makes it fire resistant.
You have greater control over the design, colour and texture of the mats as they are easier to produce compared to the rubber alternative. This is an important feature for anyone looking to make an impact with the mats. Certain applications such as swimming pools tend to favor blue or white mats which are both easier and cheaper to produce out of PVC.
PVC can be difficult to replace if the product is no longer being produced. In some cases, the mats are made to order which can result in longer production times, however we always try to keep a good stock of our most popular PVC mats.
Ultimately there is no right or wrong product, it always comes down to the application and what you require from the mats. We are always to help customers who are unsure which product is most suitable for their unique requirements.
You can view our full matting and flooring range here.
Contact us to discuss your requirements of pvc car mat roll. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.